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MARKING PROGRESS
INNOVATION IN ACTION
Among the challenges that the Rakkasan
Soldiers face is how to sustain opera-
tions and maintain readiness in remote
and austere environments. During quar-
terly brainstorming sessions and brigade
innovation forums they realized that 3D
printing technology could offer materiel
solutions to some of these challenges.
They invited Dr. Kevin Galloway, director
of making and a research assistant professor
in the Vanderbilt University Mechanical
Engineering Department, to an innova-
tion event sponsored by the Rakkasans to
explore these ideas. In this open setting
dedicated to sharing and exploring ideas,
Galloway and Rakkasan leaders discussed
how to turn ideas into action.
Soldiers from Breacher Company visited
Galloway’s Wond’ry Makerspace, a state-
of-the-art prototyping laboratory with 3D
printers, fiber arts, mold-making and cast-
ing materials. Breacher Company leaders
and Galloway’s team had an opportunity
to work together to bring concepts to life.
“The rapid fabrication tools available today
have significantly lowered the barriers to
advance innovative ideas,” Galloway said
in an interview. “With a little technical
training, anyone can quickly learn how
to harness the power of these tools to vali-
date early stage ideas before more resources
are invested.”
The Soldiers presented the difficulty of
developing easy-to-fabricate and easy-to-
use visual marking systems to Galloway’s
team. Soldiers employ a variety of mark-
ing systems as visual signals across the
battlefield. These signals help direct traf-
fic, maintain unity and spacing between
Soldiers, and, perhaps most importantly,
designate safe zones and lanes for weapon
systems. The problem the company faced
was that its current systems were bulky
and not standardized within the unit. For
SYSTEM PREPARATION
Galloway prepares a base for a silicone mold for the chemlight marking system while
Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Frederick and Capt. Aimee Valles look on. The silicone molds
can be filled with resin to fabricate holders without the use of a 3D pri n t e r.
FIRST PRINTING
Frederick presses print on the first 3D printing project between the
Rakkasans and Vanderbilt University: a chemlight marking system.
88
Army AL&T Magazine
January-March 2019